Inter-School Collaboration on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

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In partnership with teachers from Washington State and San Jose, we co-created a unique interschool activity designed to introduce students to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). This collaborative project brought together 4th and 5th-grade students from Ka`imiloa Elementary in Hawaii, Grant Elementary in Washington, and Larchmont Elementary in California to explore essential questions like, “How do you envision the future of our oceans?” and “What can we do to help?”

Over three weeks, students connected virtually, sharing their reflections and learning via Google Slides and Google Docs. They worked with adapted National Geographic articles, YouTube videos, and Google My Maps to gain insights into the global impact of ocean pollution. Scaffolding tools and differentiated materials made this activity inclusive for multilingual learners and students at various reading levels.

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By fostering collaboration across schools and states, this activity not only taught students about SDG 14 (Life Below Water) but also helped them develop global competencies. They explored environmental challenges, gained perspectives from their peers, and brainstormed actionable solutions to protect marine life. Students reflected on their learning through exit tickets, visible thinking routines, and group discussions.

The project culminated in an interactive exchange of ideas and questions, where students shared their hopes for the future of our oceans and explored ways to take meaningful action. This collaboration highlights the power of global education and teamwork in inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers and ocean stewards.

Explore the details of our activity, including student slides, our Welcome and Introduction slides, and the student question document, to learn more about this impactful project.